Combination flatiron and clothes dampener



Feb. 3, 1942- P. J. FITZGERALD COMBINATION FLATIRON AND CLOTHESDAMPENER Filed Aug. 29, 1959 2 smu -sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Pa/r/ k /FV yam/a V 0 1942* P. J. FITZGERALD COMBINATION FLATIRON AND CLOTHES DAMPENER Filed Aug. 29, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 2 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented" Feb. 3, 1942:

COMBINATION FLATIRON AND CLOTHES- DAMPENER Patrick J. Fitzgerald, Torring'ton, Conm, assignmto The Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company,

Torrington, Conn;, necticut corporation 01' Con- Application August 29, 1939', Serial No. 292,415

4 Claims.

This invention has to'do with a combination flatiron andv clothes dampener, and is concerned with a novel arrangement of the clothes dampen.- ing mechanism on the iron structure.

The present day conventional flatiron has now assumed a more or less standard'form and generally comprises an iron body'having a pointed nose and a substantially square heel, and which iron body carries front and rear brackets that in turn carry a handle. If the iron is of the electrically heated type, a control switch is usually included in the iron body as between the handle carrying brackets, and suitable provision is made for connecting an electric cord thereto, such as by spaced connecting posts.

From the very use to which the clothes dampening mechanism is to be put, it is desirable that the same include a spray nozzle that is positioned above the nose of the iron and from the structural characteristics and mode of usage of the iron, it is desirable that the water reservoir of the dampening mechanism be located at the heel of the iron. Obviously, it is essential that there be a suitable conduit connecting the water reservoir with the spray nozzle, and it is also obviously necessary to include, at a suitable location, a pump that may be operated as occasion demands to eject a spray from the spray nozzle.

With the foregoing conditions in mind, and

also recognizing that the'flatiron is normally grasped by one hand of the operator, this invention has in view, as an important objective,the provision of a combination flatiron and clothes dampener in which one of th e brackets which ordinarily supports the handle is replaced by a pump and which pump is operated by downward pressure at an appropriate point on the iron handle.

In view 01' the fact that the usual ironing operations require a forward movement of the iron, that is, in the direction 'ofthe nose, the invention'has, as a further object, the provision of a combination of a flatiron and clothes dampener, in which the rear handle supporting bracket is replaced by a pump with the handle of the iron constituting the operating means for the pump.

Still more in detail the invention has in viewthe provision of an arrangement in which the handle is pivotally mounted at the front bracket and is also pivotally connected at the rear end to the pump mechanism. The pump mechanism is in turn mounted in such a way as toaccommodate swinging movement of the handle about its hinged mounting at the front bracket.

- cordingly, a further object of the invention isvision ofa combination flatiron clothes dampener. oi the character above noted and inv which the pump is -oi'v the cylinder and piston type with the cylinder being pivotally mounted on'the ironbody while the piston is pivotally connected to the handle. a

While it is convenient for an operator to depress the'handle to effect operation of the pump, it is not quite so convenient for the operator to impart an upward movement to the handle. Ac-

the provision in a combination flatiron and clothes dampener oi the character above. noted, of spring means normally maintaining the handle, and with the handle the piston or the pump, inan upraised position.

A still further more detailed vention is the provisionoi' an arrangement in which the spring means is associated with the hinged mounting oi. the handle on the front bracket.

The arrangement of clothes dampening mechanism on a flatiron, in accordance with the above noted objectives, and particularly the mounting of the pump in the manner aforesaid. presents certain conditions which must be accommodated in orderto provide a practical assembly. In the first place, the cylinder of the pump which is located at the rear 01' the handle must be con-- nected to the reservoir and in view of themovement of the pumpv cylinder, which is a necessary incident tooperation of the pump, the connections must be such to accommodate this movement.

Furthermore, thejpump cylinder at the rear must be connected with the spray nozzle at the front and the connections must be such as not to interfere with the operation oi the control switch for the iron. I It is also desirable that the connections be not easily damaged, as by accidental striking against objects, and this is also true of the spray nozzle Another object of the invention is the prowhich is positioned over the nose of the iron.

Accordingly, the invention has in view, as a further object, the provision of a combination flatiron and clothes .dampener oi the character above noted and in which a flexible conduit is employed as the means for connecting the reservoir to the pump cylinder and also as a means for connecting the pump cylinder to the spray nozzle at the front. This flexible conduit is properly shaped to circumvent the control switch and not interfere with the operation thereof.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention such as arise in conobject of the, in-

- connected. I The handle is connected at the rear nection with efiecting a practical embodiment of the above noted thoughts will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention, therefore, comprises the com-- bination of a fiatiron including an iron body having a pointed nose and a substantially square heel and which iron body carries a front handle supporting bracket to which a handle is hingedly with the iron body by a pump of the cylinder and piston type, this cylinder being hingedly connected to the iron body with the piston connected to the pump handle. Spring means are provided for normally maintaining the handle in an upraised position and the spring means ,is preferably associated with the hinged mounting at the front. A water reservoir is carried by the iron body at the heel thereof and this reservoir is connected with the cylinder of the pump by a flexible conduit. A spray nozzle is positioned over the nose of the iron body and this spray nozzle is also connected with the cylinder of the pump by a flexible conduit.

For a full and more complete understanding vof the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation of a combination flatiron and clothes dampener, embodying the principles of this invention, a

Figure 2 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1 with the handle of the iron removed,

Figure 3 is an enlarged view developing the 3 reservoir and iron handle with the associated pump mechanism in a contracted relationship. the flexible conduit between the reservoir and pump being broken away,

Figure 3a is a section through connections leading thereto.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view with the pump cylinder from the rear shown in the man ner from which the flexible conduits are connected thereto, and t Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view the reservoir and through the spray nozzle.

Referring now to the drawings and first more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, a flatiron made in accordance with the present day design is shown as comprising an iron body III asformed with a pointed nose II and a substantially square heel I2. This iron body ID has an ironing surface designated l2 and atop surface identified by the reference character l4. 7

While the present invention is applicable to irons which are heated from some source ex teriorly of the iron, the invention is designed primarily for use with so-called electric irons. When the iron is of the electric type the iron body houses the electrical heating elements (not illustrated). in a manner well-known in this art, and

a control switch for turning the iron on oroff, as occasion demands, is shown at i5 as mounted on the top surface ll.

Suitable provision is also made for connecting the heating elements of the irons with a suitable source of current, such means taking the form of spaced connecting posts It that are positioned above the heel I2. I Referring, now more particularly to Figures 1 and 3, a front handle supporting, bracket is designated l1 and is formed with a foot [8 that is anchored to the top surface II in the iron body at IS. The upper end. of the bracket i1 is curled over to provide a passageway f' for the hinged pintle and which passageway-is designated 20. 7

As shown more particularly in Figure 2, the curled over structure whichkdefinesthe passageway 20 takes the form of spaced curled over tongues 21. v

ferring now again to Figures 1 and 3, a handle is designated and is shown as formed. at its forward end with a recess 23 having a flat bottom 24 to which is anchored a hinge part 25, th anchorage being effected by a screw fastening member 28 that passes through an opening in the part 25 and is embedded in the handle 22.

It will be noted that the hinge part 25 is formed with a curled tongue 21 that is received between the curled over tongues 2| of the bracket l1 and a hinge pintle 28 passes through the aligned passages of the curled over tongues to effect the hinge connection. It is important to note that a leaf spring 29 has a part 30 interposed between the hingepart 25 and the-bottom 24 of the recess 23, the screw fastening element 20 providing a good clamping effect. This spring29 has another part "a that bears against the bracket [1. Thespring 29 exerts a tendency normally maintaining the handle 22 in its uppermost position; however, the handle may be depressed against the influence-of the spring. 30

At the rear the handle 22 is also formed with a recess 3| having a bottom wall 22 and a top wall 33. A bracket in the form of-an angle bar ll is fitted in the recess ll with a part 35 engaging the bottom wall 32 and another part ll engaging the top wall 33. A screw fastening element 21 passes through an opening In the part 25 and is embedded in the handle to securely clamp the angle bar 24 in position in the recess 3|,

Depending downwardly from the top wall 32 are a pair of spaced ears 28, each of which is formed witlii an opening, through which opening passes a pivot pin 39 A pump plunger 40 of cylindrical formation is formed at its upper end with a tongue ll that is received between the ears as and which tongue 41 is formed with an opening through which the pivot pin 38 also passes. a

Secured to the upper face ll of the iron body III, as by a head and screw fastening element shown at", is a foot hinge piece 42, the rear edge of which is inclined slightly upward and turned back to define spaced curled over tongues ll, these curled over tongues 44 defining a passage for a hinge pintle 45.

A pump cylinder 48 has a closed bottom 41 from which projects downwardly a tongue 42 that is received between the curled over tongues 44. Thistongue 48 is formed with an opening through which the hinge pintle ll passes. A piston assembly; is shown as mounted for reci'procating movementin the bore of the cylinder 48 and is identified at". This piston assembly in by th headed screw fastening element shown 76 49 is carried at the-end of the plunger 40. A closure member 80 is screwed into the upper open end of the cylinder 48 and is provided with a bore 5| which slidably receives the plunger 40. This cylinder 48- is formed on opposite sides with openings 52 which are designed for connection with the flexible conduits in a manner to be hereinafter described;

It is evident that upon depression of the handle 22 the plunger 40 is moved downwardly to cause a corresponding'movement on the part of the piston 19. However, upon release of the handle, the spring same and with it the plunger 40 and piston 49.

A spray nozzle is shown in detail in Figure and is referred to generally by the reference character 53. check valve 85 which cooperates with the free end of a flexible conduit 54 that is connected to the spray nozzle. through a bracket 55 that is carried by the fastening element l9. between the'head of this fastening element and the foot As shown in Figure 2, this flexible conduit 54 extends rearwardly out l5 and isconnected the pump cylinder 45 by a coupling represented at 55.

Referring now more particularly toFigure l, a reservoir-carrying bracket is referred to in its entirety by the referencecharacter 51 and is shown as comprising a pair of spaced wings 58 (see Figure-2), which are positioned on each side of the connecting posts l5 and have ananchorage in the iron body Ill. The reservoir-carrying bracket 51 also includes a bottom 59 that is bent back on itself with the bent back portion designated 55 and which portion 50 is anchored in the iron body above theheel l2. vAt each side of the bottom 59 is an ear 5|.

The spray nozzle 53 hou'ses'a 'The flexible conduit 54 passes normally maintains the-handle 22 in an upraised I8 of the bracket l1.

around the control switch 7 to one of the openings 52 in sired to dampen a certain'portl-on of clothes,

A water reservoir is. identified in its entirety by the reference character 52 and is shown as being carried by the bracket 51 being positioned between the ears 5|. comprises a bottom wall 53 which rests on the bottom 59' and a top 54 which is connected to the bottom by the inclined front and rear walls 55 and 55, respectively. The top 54 is formed with an air vent designated 51, which air vent is of a well-known construction. The water reservoir also includes a pair of end walls 59.

Adjacent the lower end the rear wall 55 is thickened, as shown at 59, and the thicker portion is provided with a threaded opening 15. A

valve-carrying sleeve 1| isgexteriorly threaded and screwed into the threaded opening 15. A nut 12 is threaded over the sleeve 1| and bears against the washer 13 which in turn engages the 59 of 'the reservoir wall 55.

thickened portion This nut 12 serves to securely lock the sleeve .1|

in position. 4

A flexible conduit 14 has one end secured to the pump cylinder 4.5 by the coupling represented at 15, while the other end of this flexible conduit 14 carries a' coupling member 15, which oouis formed with a groove 11, and a A thimble 19 is threaded on the the sleeve 1| and carries a flange thegroove 11. The conical of the sleeve 1| so pling member conical tip 15. upper end of 59 that is received in tip 18 is inserted in the bore that upon tightening of the waterproof connection between the flexible conduit 14 and the sleeve 1| is provided. The sleeve .1l is formed with a bore which terminates at its inner end with a valve seat 5|, which valve seat has an opening. that communicates with the interior of the reservoir 52.

a A valve member in the form of a ball member This water reservoir 52 thimble 19, a good 82 is seated in the valve seat 8| and is normally by a spring 53 that is fltted in the bore of the'sleeve 1| and bears against appropriate backing provided therefor, suchas indicated atl 54. One of the end walls 55 is promaintained seated mechanism functions manner, the

' The manner in which the above. described I in actual usage is believed to be obvious,,but maylbe notingthat the spray nozzle conveniently positioned over out the spring 29 water. As has been pointed position.

During ordinary ironing operations the opera- 'on'the iron rather than water-dampening rnechaprevented by the ball valve 82 which is mainthe spring 83 and tained seated on its seat 8| by the pressure or the water.

When the operator releases the handle 52 the spring 29 moves the same upwardly. As the piston 49 is moved upwardly in a corresponding check valve 55 atthe upper end of the conduit 54 closes, shutting oil the atmosphere. Thus, a partial vacuum is created, the

ball valve 82 is unseated from its seat 8|, opening communication with the interior of the res ervoir 52, and water is drawn from the reservoir into the bore of the cylinder 45, again putting the pump into condition, in which downward pressure of the handles causes ejection of the spray.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood-that I am not to be limited to the exact construction illustrated and described, because various modiflcations of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice, within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a iron body having anose and a heel, a tront handle supporting bracket upstanding from the iron body, a handle pivoted to said bracket and extending towards said heel, a clothes dampening mechanism comprising awpump interposed betwen the free end of said handle and'tbe iron body, a water reservoir at "the heeL-fiuid con-. nections between said reservoirand pump, a spray nozzle at the nose, and fluid connections between said-spray nozzle and pump. ,1

2. In combination, a flatiron comprising an iron body having a nose and a heel, a front bandle supporting bracket and a handle pivotally secured to said bracket, clothes dampening mechanismcomprising a pump, a plunger pivotally connected at one handle, a cylinder pivotally mounted on said iron body, a water reservoir at the heel of the iron. a flexible conduit connecting said water reservoir with the cylinder of said pump, a spray nozzle vide'd with an opening that is normally closed by j the closure shown at 85 may be removed when it is reservoir 52.

85 in Figure 1. The closure desired to refill the at the nose, and a, flexible conduit connecting thezzoylinder of-the said pump with said spray no e.

3. In combination, a flatiron comprising an iron body, a handle supporting bracket upstandfrom the iron body, a handle pivotallycarried by said bracket, 8. pump interposed between brieflydescribed'by 53 is normally and the nose ll, whfle the reservoir 52 carries an appropriate. supply of flatiron. comprising an said'pump including end to said 4 amigos? said handle and said iron'body'and operable in cident to movement or'the handle with respect; to the iron ody, Spring means mounted-with the pivotal mountingof the hendlernorm'ally maintaining said handle in an upraisedposition; a 5

spray nozzle carried by the iron body, connections between said spray nozzle and said'pump; a water reservoir, and connections betweenime water reservoir and said pump. 7

4. In combination, a flatiron' comprising an iron body having a nose and a. heel, a. front han dle supporting brac'ket upstanding Iromthe iron body,':ahandle-pivoted'to said bracket and extending toward: said heel, spring means normal- 1y mmtainmgsaid handle in an upraised positio'ni a clo thes dempenin'g mechanism comprising s'purnp'interposed betfweemthe free end of said handle and the iron 'body, a' water reservoir at the heel; a'flexible'conduit connecting said water reservoir and said pump; a spray nozzle at the nose, and a. flexible conduit connecting said pump andspra'yj nozzle.- 7

PATRICK J FITZGERALD. 

